If you’re driving HGVs across Europe this summer, the main thing to know is that many countries impose weekend, holiday, and peak-tourist-season bans on trucks over 7.5 tonnes. Summer restrictions usually tighten from July through August, especially on routes toward holiday destinations like Italy, Austria, southern Germany, Croatia, and France.

Here are the key summer restrictions that catch most drivers and planners out:

Countries with the strictest summer HGV bans

Germany

Germany has one of the toughest systems:

• General ban for HGVs over 7.5t:

  • Sundays and public holidays

  • Typically 00:00–22:00

• Extra summer holiday bans apply on busy tourist routes during peak travel periods.

This heavily affects north–south freight through Bavaria and routes toward Austria and Italy.

France

France applies:

• Weekend bans for trucks over 7.5t

• Additional summer Saturday restrictions on key holiday corridors

• Heavy controls around Paris and Alpine routes.

Summer Saturdays in July/August are especially restrictive.

Austria

Austria is very restrictive in summer:

• Weekend bans

• Tourist-route restrictions

• Brenner corridor controls

• Environmental/noise restrictions on Alpine routes.

The A12/A13 Brenner route is frequently affected.

Italy

Italy ramps up restrictions during holiday season:

• Sunday bans year-round

• Longer summer bans from June–September

• Extra Friday/Saturday controls in August.

Typical August restrictions include:

• Sundays: often 07:00–22:00

• Busy Saturdays: often 08:00–22:00

• Some Friday afternoon bans before major holiday weekends.

Countries with lighter or no general bans

Several countries are easier for freight movement:

• Ireland — no general nationwide HGV Sunday ban

• United Kingdom — no nationwide ban, though local schemes exist

• Belgium — mostly local congestion restrictions

• Netherlands — generally no nationwide Sunday ban

• Denmark and Sweden — relatively open compared with central Europe.

Belgium does have rush-hour restrictions around major cities like Antwerp and Brussels.

Heatwave restrictions

Some eastern and southeastern European countries impose temporary daytime bans during extreme heat:

• Often triggered above 25°C

• Usually affect heavy axle loads

• Common in parts of the Balkans and southeastern Europe.

These can appear with little notice.

Common exemptions

Many countries exempt:

• Perishable food

• Livestock

• Fuel deliveries

• Emergency transport

• Combined rail/ferry operations in some cases.

But exemptions vary country by country.

What operators should plan for this summer

If you’re routing through mainland Europe:

• Avoid Saturday daytime arrivals near Alpine/tourist routes

• Expect severe delays around:

  • Bastille Day

  • Assumption weekend (mid-August)

  • German regional holidays

• Book secure parking early near borders

• Watch for temporary heat or pollution restrictions

• Double-check ADR rules separately if hauling hazardous goods.